The Seventh Annual Community in Unity Fall Festival begins with Gospel Night this evening at 7:30 p.m. at James School Park.

Gospel Night includes a guest speaker and several musical groups.

Saturday’s events kick off with a parade at 9:30 a.m. at James Park School with Pope County Sheriff Aaron DuVall serving as grand marshal. Event co-organizer Chandra Jackson said organizations, businesses, churches and individuals are all welcome to participate in the parade.

Throughout Saturday, there will be various guest speakers, including political speakers, fun games for the kids, educational booths distributing community information and food vendors. Donated door prizes will also be awarded throughout the day on Saturday.

Jackson said a voter registration booth will also be set up for members of the community who are interested in the upcoming elections but have never registered to vote before.

Jackson said the event began seven years ago after two women, LaShawn Peevy and Phyllis Walls, were called to organize a community-wide event that would foster unity among all races, genders and religions.

“What happened was, that God gave each sister a separate vision about using their talents and gifts,” Jackson said of how the festival began. “God told them to stir up their gifts, to help each other and the community. When we come together, which is what the entire event is all about, we can help each other through the good times and the bad.”

The festival is hosted by the New Oil Restoration Outreach Ministry and several churches in the James School Park area.

Jackson said each year, the festival has grown and really took off after the third year.

“It was the third year that people really seemed to get what the event was about,” Jackson said. “It’s a time for the entire community of Russellville to unite. It’s a family-friendly event packed with activities that reach out to the unchurched population.”

Jackson said the event, while still small in comparison to other events, is just one example of what people can do to influence change in their communities when they unite. She added, that in time and as the event grows, the annual Community in Unity Fall Festival could serve as a model to other communities.

“We want to thank everyone in the community for their support and sponsorships that make this unity festival possible,” Jackson. “We hope that everyone remembers to mark their calendars next year for the same time and place to join us again.”

The annual event is scheduled the first Friday and Saturday every October. It will take place on Oct. 4 and 5 in 2013.